PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH YOUNG

PEOPLE 

Physical contact in rugby should always be intended to meet the child’s / young persons’ needs, NOT the adult’s.

The adult should only use physical contact if their aim is to:

• develop sports skills or techniques.
• to treat an injury.
• to prevent an injury or accident from occurring.
• to meet the requirements of the game.

The adult should explain the nature and reason for any physical contact to the child reinforcing the teaching or coaching skill. Unless the situation is an emergency, the adult should ask the child / young person for their permission.

At Pumas Rugby club we encourage all our children / young people to voice any of their concerns they have especially if any physical contact makes them feel uncomfortable or threatened.

Contact should not involve touching genital areas, buttocks, breasts or any other part of the body that might cause a child / young person distress or embarrassment.

Physical contact should always take place in an open or public place environment and not in secret or out of the sight of others. 

SPECIFIC SITUATIONS 

1.  Physical Punishment 

Any form of physical punishment of children is unlawful by coaches, volunteers and professionals, as is any form of physical response to misbehaviour unless it is by way of restraint.It is particularly important that adults understand this both to protect their own position and the overall reputation of the organisation in which they are involved.

2.  Contact as part of coaching 

• There are specific circumstances within the sport of rugby union which will require coaches or assistant coaches to come into physical contact with children and young people from time to time in the course of their duties.
• Examples will include activities where safe practice is critical, e.g. the introduction / development of scrummaging.
• Adults should be aware of the limits within which such contact should properly take place, and of the possibility of such contact being misinterpreted.
• It should be recognised that physical contact between an adult and a child / young person that may occur during legitimate teaching or coaching may be misconstrued or misunderstood by a player, young person, parent or observer.
• Touching young participants, including well intentioned informal and formal gestures such as putting a hand on the shoulder or arm, can if repeated regularly, lead to the possibility of questions being raised.
• As a general principle adults in positions of responsibility should not make gratuitous or unnecessary physical contact with children or young people.
• It is particularly unwise to attribute frequent touching to their teaching or coaching style or as a way of relating to young participants. 

3.  Responding to distress and success 

• There may be occasions where a distressed young person needs comfort and reassurance which may include physical comforting such as a caring parent would give.
• Physical contact may also be required to prevent an accident or injury and this would be wholly appropriate.
• A young person or coach may also want to mark a success or achievement with a hug or other gesture.
• Adults should use their discretion in such cases to ensure that what is (and what is seen by others present) normal and natural does not become unnecessary and unjustified contact, particularly with the same young person over a period  of time.
• It should also be considered that what, to an adult may seem to be appropriate, may not be shared by a young person. 

4.  Sport science and medicine (First Aid / Emergencies) 

There may be some roles within Rugby Union where physical contact is and / or a requirement of the role, particularly sports science or medicine.These tasks should only be undertaken by properly trained or qualifiedpractitioners. 

PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES INCLUDING THOSE  TAKEN BY MOBILE TELEPHONES

 Pumas RC recognises that publicity and pictures of young people enjoying rugby are essential to promote rugby and a healthy lifestyle.

In order to facilitate this we abide by the following principles and rules:

• All the principles and rules apply to all photographs taken on a camera, digital camera, video cameras and images taken by mobile telephones.
•  Always get permission from the parent and child / young person before taking child’s / young persons’ photograph.
• Never take the photograph of a child / young person whose parents / carers or the child / young person has refused their permission.
• Pumas will never use the image of a person for display or publicity purposes without having their permission first.
•  All young people must be appropriately dressed for the activity taking place.
•  Pumas will only use images in the club or on the website which have completed Image Consent Forms.
• All parents and children / young people will be given prior notification of any images that are to be used in the press or any other media publications, even when there is a completed Image Consent Form.
• Parents / carers and children can change their mind about their images being used by Pumas at any point. Although we will require you to complete a new Image Consent Form for the change of consent.
• Should you at any time wish an image to be removed from a display / publication / notice board or website that you have previously consented to Pumas using you must contact the Youth Development Officer or theClub’s Welfare Officer.